The Apocalypse Took Everything, This Time I Hoard It All First

Chapter 164: Chapter 164: Departure

Vanessa Stone looked back at Luna Dawson in confusion. Just as she was about to ask a question, Luna spoke up first. "By the way, Captain Kessler, this escort mission is quite large in scale. Is your entire squad being dispatched too?"

"Of course. According to Ash, every participating squad in the base is giving it their all to contribute. I certainly can’t hold anything back," Kyle Keith replied. He intended to take Susan Vaughn to approach Corbin’s leadership ahead of the others. Once they returned to the base, the Kessler family would gain another significant source of support. He then asked, "Are the elders and children in your family participating as well, Captain Dawson?"

"Naturally. Everyone in our family is an indispensable member." Luna felt relieved after receiving his affirmative answer.

Kyle chatted idly with them, taking the opportunity to observe everyone at the table. Although the men ate quickly, their movements were not crude. The rest of the group was composed and calm, completely lacking the surprise, fanaticism, or excitement that most people showed when faced with the food before them. In the post-apocalyptic world, a person’s capability could be directly gauged by what they ate. Luna was even able to provide enough Crystal Cores to nurture the elders and children in this team to the Third Rank. It seemed their strength and talent were truly not to be underestimated.

At this thought, a subtle change flickered in Kyle’s eyes. Initially, he wanted to directly express his intention to recruit them, but after pondering it over, he decided to build rapport first.

"When I came over to invite you today, I happened to see two people causing trouble at your door. Captain Dawson, I don’t mean to pry, but I heard they often come to harass you all. Is that true?"

As soon as Kyle finished, Aaron Palmer couldn’t help but chime in, "Those two are just mad dogs! If fighting wasn’t forbidden in the base, I would have thrown them to the zombies a long time ago."

"Brother Leo, getting angry while eating is bad for digestion," Luna said. She then looked up at Kyle and nodded. "They’re just scamming troublemakers. There’s no need to pay them any mind."

"That’s good. I’ve already ordered my subordinates to arrest them for gathering a crowd to cause trouble and disturbing the peace. They’ve been assigned to the Sixth District to haul bricks and build factories. They won’t bother you ever again."

Luna immediately responded with a sweet expression of gratitude. "Thank you so much, Captain Kessler! You’re such a good person. Why don’t we follow your lead when we head to Corbin? We’re all from the same base, so we should help each other out!" After saying that, she looked at him with starry-eyed admiration.

Kyle never expected Luna’s response to provide such overwhelming emotional validation. His fingers tightened around his wine glass, and his voice grew a fraction huskier. "It’s what I should do. Helping the residents of the base is our duty."

...

The night had deepened, and the sky outside the window was completely dark. Looking out through the panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows on the ninety-first floor, the thousands of lights in the base lit up one after another. The scattered glimmer swayed in the darkness, so gentle that it brought peace to the heart. Luna couldn’t help but set down her teacup and lean slightly closer to the window, her brow relaxing significantly. Every lit window represented a warm little family trying their hardest to survive and protect each other in this apocalypse. Gazing at this rare and tranquil night view, a faint smile unconsciously curled the corners of her lips.

As she watched, she suddenly noticed a commotion among the figures in the plaza below. People who had been strolling aimlessly were now running about, and many were raising their arms high, seemingly cheering in jubilation. A trace of confusion flashed through Luna’s eyes, and she frowned slightly.

Sitting next to her, Kyle quickly noticed her odd reaction. He followed her gaze for a moment, then raised his hand and activated the smart bracelet on his wrist. After glancing over the information on the screen, a gentle smile appeared on his face. He took the initiative to explain, "Just now, the entire base has completed full coverage of water, electricity, heating, and gas for all unsealed areas."

Upon hearing this, everyone at the table was filled with pleasant surprise, practically ready to jump up and cheer.

"That’s wonderful! Captain Kessler, I had a feeling good things would happen when I met you today. Next time there’s a chance, dinner is on me!"

The gleam in Kyle’s eyes brightened. "I look forward to it."

"It’s getting late. Since the utilities are restored and we’ve eaten our fill, we’re a bit impatient to head home and check it out. If there’s nothing else, we’ll be taking our leave now."

Kyle and two of his team members personally escorted the Sunset Squad to the hotel entrance. He initially wanted his drivers to take them home, but Luna flatly refused. Working folks didn’t have it easy. There was no need to make them work overtime in such cold weather.

Luna waved her hand, and a Marauder appeared out of thin air next to the military off-road vehicles. Its massive size made the military vehicles look rather fragile in comparison. Kyle had long heard of their impressive financial resources. Seeing it with his own eyes now only intensified his desire to recruit them. The group got into the vehicle one after another, and everyone waved goodbye.

Several days of preparation passed quickly, and the time for departure arrived.

At exactly eight o’clock in the morning, a massive crowd gathered in the plaza in front of the base’s third buffer gate. In addition to the ten-thousand-strong departure force, there were countless people who had come to see them off. A Marauder from Luna’s family led the way, followed by a heavily modified and reinforced Armadillo Navigator RV, closely trailing the six military off-road vehicles belonging to Kyle.

When the Sunset Squad arrived at the buffer gate to line up, even the well-traveled members of the Endless Squad dropped their jaws in shock. This level of grandiosity could rival many of the captains who were second-generation offspring of the high-level executives. Countless gazes were fixed on the high-profile Sunset Squad. Luna was already used to it. She strove to become stronger precisely so she could enjoy life. She was not the type to sit on a mountain of gold and live in hardship.

Blake Blue, Evan Olson, and Miles Dawson drove the trailing RV, keeping the elders and children company. With Purple Bean’s Third Rank Absolute Defense, everyone felt relatively at ease. Meanwhile, Luna, Kevin Keane, Lynn Shelby, Aaron Palmer, Rollo, Little Tiger, and Little Sweet Potato were in the lead vehicle.

For the entire convoy, Francis Grant personally led the heavy-firepower armored units and a group of High-level Superpower Users to clear the path ahead. Dylan DuPont led the core offensive forces of the Special Operations Department to bring up the rear. In the middle, armed soldiers and Superpower Users rode in military trucks, remaining vigilant against any potential dangers.

Personnel from the city defense forces drove shuttle carts around, distributing mission cards to every vehicle. The text on the cards was clear, detailing the objectives, routes, precautions, and rules of the rescue mission. All personnel participating in the mission were temporarily classified as official staff and were required to unconditionally obey the authorities’ mission requirements.

Everyone in every vehicle lowered their heads to carefully read the contents of the cards. Right at this moment, the base’s broadcast system suddenly sprang to life. An elderly yet resonant voice pierced through the cabins and echoed across the entire plaza—it was the voice of Elder Grant, a high-ranking official of the base. His voice carried not a trace of the frailty of old age; instead, it held a penetrating power. Every word struck deep into the hearts of everyone present.

"Rescuing the three hundred thousand survivors in Corbin is a righteous cause for our nation!

"Every city in Celestia is an inseparable part of our territory.

"Those three hundred thousand survivors, along with the thirty thousand stationed troops, are our compatriots linked by blood!

"Among them could very well be the families, friends, and loved ones of the people gathered here today!"